Boys Meet Girl

We had a lot of great visitors today.

First up was Lyndia Austin.  Zaira loved hearing the stories Lyndia told about the priest that first came to Nacogdoches.  She even stopped nursing to be able to listen intently.  Then Michael had to leave to pick up the boys to meet their new sister.

While he was gone, two of his Army buddies, Sam and Blake dropped made their second attempt to meet the new girl. (Their first was during my labor yesterday.)  They were so nice, and made sure that I had everything I needed while we waited for Michael to return the boys and my Mom.  Zaira felt safe enough to sleep through most of their visit. Then the most important visitors arrived.  The boys got to meet their sister for the first time.

Brendan has been praying for a little sister from the get-go.  He might be temporarily induced to say brother under the influence of one of his brothers, but he always came back to praying for a girl.  He was so ecstatic to meet his baby sister.

Edward, ever the contrary one, has insisted that it was a boy.  Last night he stayed at our friends house and one of their daughter's, Caitlyn, played a huge trick on him.  She told him that he had a new brother, and just as he started dancing for joy, she told him about Zaira.  He was crushed, but bounced back like a trooper, especially when he got to hold Zaira in his own arms.

Henry and Zaira immediately formed their own mutual admiration society.  When Henry held her, they just gazed at one another.  After all of the boys had held Zaira and she was returned to my arms, Henry went to Michael and asked if he could hold her again.  Henry is obviously prepping to take over the spoiling of Zaira when Michael returns to work.

Sean handled this like the old pro that he is.  He has never met a baby that he has not liked.  He was just giddy to meet and hold her.

The boys stayed for about thirty minutes but it was the highlight of the day.  It is nice to know that they welcome a new sibling so readily with open arms.  They left giving Zaira one more kiss and hugs with promises to continue to be good for Gramma.

Zaira's next visitors were Cynthia Callaway and her daughter Angela.  Angela is a friend of Amanda's from St. Andrew's and is now serving our country in the U.S. Air Force.  They had been at Brendan's home birth so were happy to come to the hospital today to hear all about Zaira's entrance into the world.  They were both excited to welcome our newest member of the Reynolds Clan.

But we were not done yet.  Two last visitors, Lyn and her sister Martha.  Lyn was a fellow parishioner at St. Andrew's, and is very involved with the Dominican nuns at the Dominican Monastery of the Infant Jesus here in Lufkin.

All of our visitors were so sweet, and so happy to meet our new precious baby.

There were also gifts galore.  The theme of the day seemed to be pink and flowers!  Many thanks to all that could visit in person, as well as those that were there in spirit. 

Tomorrow morning our exile should be over, and we can take Zaira home.